Square mandrels?

[Dcox]

Has anyone seen square mandrels like these?

[Bob Cleek]

I have never seen "square mandrels" like those. It would seem that anyone requiring one would simply cut a stick of wood if they needed one or use a pliers suitable for bending the shape if need be. The mandrels pictured are somewhat odd, as well. They are probably intended for use by jewelry makers, but jeweler's or orthodontist's wire-forming pliers pliers are far more useful tools for ship modeling.

 

Wire rings are easily formed in exact sizes by wrapping the wire around the smooth end of a suitably-sized drill bit. A standard set of drill bits will provide a wide range of sizes. After wrapping around the shaft of the bit, the wire can be cut free with a diagonal cutting pliers and slid off the bit shaft. 

 

Jeweler's wire forming pliers are made in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles and are quite reasonably priced. They can be found on eBay and in jewelry supply house and orthodontic instrument catalogs. See: Amazon.com : forming pliers

 

         

 

 

 

Edited January 27 by Bob Cleek

[No Idea]

Hi 

 

Here's one that goes from 4mm - 10mm square

 

https://www.cooksongold.com/Jewellery-Tools/Durston-Square-Plain-Triblet-4-10mm-Hardened-Steel-prcode-999-7227&query=square mandrel&channel=uk

 

Mark

[Dcox]

1 hour ago, No Idea said:

Hi 

 

Here's one that goes from 4mm - 10mm square

 

https://www.cooksongold.com/Jewellery-Tools/Durston-Square-Plain-Triblet-4-10mm-Hardened-Steel-prcode-999-7227&query=square mandrel&channel=uk

 

Mark

I've seen those, unfortunately they are gradient. I am after a stepped version as shown in my attachment.  I will use it for bending pieces into small square shapes for 3D metal model kits. I have other tools to do the job but, this would make things a lot easier.

[Dcox]

6 hours ago, Bob Cleek said:

I have never seen "square mandrels" like those. It would seem that anyone requiring one would simply cut a stick of wood if they needed one or use a pliers suitable for bending the shape if need be. The mandrels pictured are somewhat odd, as well. They are probably intended for use by jewelry makers, but jeweler's or orthodontist's wire-forming pliers-nosed pliers are far more useful tools for ship modeling.

 

Wire rings are easily formed in exact sizes by wrapping the wire around the smooth end of a suitably-sized drill bit. A standard set of drill bits will provide a wide range of sizes. After wrapping around the shaft of the bit, the wire can be cut free with a diagonal cutting pliers and slid off the bit shaft. 

 

Jeweler's wire forming pliers are made in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles and are quite reasonably priced. They can be found on eBay and in jewelry supply house and orthodontic instrument catalogs. See: Amazon.com : forming pliers

 

         

 

 

 

Thanks for the reply and time you took to look all that up. I had already searched all those prior to posting though. Maybe I should have said that in my OP. If I can't find any I may just take those round ones to a file. Maybe I can spin my want into a need to convince my wife on a mini mill purchase. lol 

 

Edit: I use the round ones for Metal Earth kits and want some square ones to add to my collection of tools.

Edited January 27 by Dcox

[Bob Cleek]

36 minutes ago, Dcox said:

Thanks for the reply and time you took to look all that up. I had already searched all those prior to posting though. Maybe I should have said that in my OP. If I can't find any I may just take those round ones to a file. Maybe I can spin my want into a need to convince my wife on a mini mill purchase. lol 

 

Edit: I use the round ones for Metal Earth kits and want some square ones to add to my collection of tools.

No trouble. Google is my friend.  Whenever I look up something like that, I always learn something new along the way, so whatever time I spend is time well spent.

 

Have you considered simply using some square metal bar stock, AKA "key stock?" It comes in many dimensions and types of metal and it shouldn't be  expensive if you go to a local machine shop and ask them to cut you six or eight inches of whatever size you want off of some they should have in stock. They might even let you just scrounge through their off-cuts scrap bin for a few bucks worth. All you'd have to do then was to fashion a handle for them or even just dip one end in some of that "dip and grip" plastic handle coating stuff. 

Edited January 27 by Bob Cleek

[ferretmary1]

1 hour ago, Dcox said:

I use the round ones for Metal Earth kits and want some square ones to add to my collection of tools.

Fire Mountain Gems,a jewelry supply site, carries square mandrels. ( https://firemountaingems.com/search/mandrels ) The ones with the green handles in the picture are made by Wubbers.  They are excellent, but expensive  (up to $40).  

[Dcox]

Amazon.com: Sutemribor Brass Round Rods Bar Assorted Diameter 2-8mm for DIY Craft (21 PCS) : Industrial & Scientific

 

This is exactly what I am looki9ng for but square not round.

[Dcox]

6 hours ago, Bob Cleek said:

Have you considered simply using some square metal bar stock, AKA "key stock?"

Good idea. I'll ask around. I haven't thought of keyway stock material, thanks.    I did post a new link to show exactly what I am looking in size range but square not round.

[Bob Cleek]

Square key stock in various lengths and assorted sizes is available at Brass Key Stock - Grainger Industrial Supply

 

Additional square bar stock, all types and cut to length at Buy Square Bar Online (onlinemetals.com)

 

This material is usually sold in one foot lengths from which lengths are cut off as needed, so I expect most any machine shop would have a supply of various sizes on hand and would cut you off a length priced by the inch. 

Edited January 28 by Bob Cleek

[Dr PR]

You can try to make your own stepped mandrels using square metal tubing.

 

McMaster-Carr has a wide assortment of metals and tubing sizes where each size slip fits into the next larger size. For example they have brass tubing stepped in 1/32 inch increments:

 

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/rectangular-tubing/material~260-brass/

 

By getting and assortment of sizes, slipping them inside each other and soldering them together you can make a square mandrel like you are looking for.

[Dcox]

Ok everyone I finally found what I was looking for, wish it went down to 1/16" though but, I can live with this and the best part it is cheap!  Thank you all for your input.

Whiteside 9810 Brass Set Up Gauges, 5 Piece Set - Router Bits - Amazon.com

[Bob Cleek]

6 hours ago, Dcox said:

Ok everyone I finally found what I was looking for, wish it went down to 1/16" though but, I can live with this and the best part it is cheap!  Thank you all for your input.

Whiteside 9810 Brass Set Up Gauges, 5 Piece Set - Router Bits - Amazon.com

Bingo! Ironically, when I first saw your question, this set immediately came to mind. I have had one for a long time and use them quite regularly, usually to set up the fence on table saws I want to rip to their dimensions, or multiples thereof. However, i mistakenly thought you were looking for something longer to replicate the length of the round ones with handles that you'd posted a photo of. At least now I have a collection of links to "brass bar stock" in my "favorites" file!  

[Landlubber Mike]

Have you tried something like these?

 

https://umm-usa.com/onlinestore/product_info.php?cPath=21_225&products_id=2979&osCsid=681b510273022f061ca64a8ad6eb7195

 

https://umm-usa.com/onlinestore/product_info.php?cPath=21_225&products_id=6597&osCsid=681b510273022f061ca64a8ad6eb7195

 

Some of the photo etch benders also have squared off wire bending functions:

 

https://umm-usa.com/onlinestore/product_info.php?cPath=21_225&products_id=7142&osCsid=681b510273022f061ca64a8ad6eb7195

 

 

Edited February 1 by Landlubber Mike

[64Pacific]

This gives me an idea, I'll fire up Solid Edge and the 3D printer this weekend and post some results...